2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport: The Brand’s Entry-Level Compact Sedan Receives A Nip And Tuck

Highlight:  The F Sport model is only offered with the 6-cylinder 350 AWD trim.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $53,940 (Base Model IS300: $40,125)

Seating Capacity: 4

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; pre-collision system with pedestrian detection system; a radar activated cruise control system; lane tracing assist system; lane departure with steering assist; intelligent high beam headlamps; a front collision warning system; an automatic braking system; blind spot electronic monitor; rain-sensing windshield wipers; rear back up camera and first aid kits

Standard Equipment (IS 250): 18-inch wheels; an 8-speed automatic transmission; a rear-wheel drive configuration; a variety of driving modes/settings; a steering wheel mounted paddle shifter; pseudo leather seats; an analog clock; an 8-inch infotainment screen; a push button ignition system; auto dimming heated outside mirrors; and manual adjustable front seats

Standard Equipment (IS 350): 19-inch alloy wheels; 3.5-liter, 6-cylinder; 311-horsepower; road signs; carpet floor kits; power front seats; F sport bolstered front heated and ventilated seats; remote touch pad; F sport suspension tuning system; black geometric film interior trim; F exterior styling; F sport movable meter; F sport heated leather trimmed steering wheel; and rear spoiler

Options: 19-inch BBS wheels; 360-degree monitor; intuitive parking assist with auto braking; F-sport handling package: variety of driving modes, adaptive variable suspension, torsen limited slip rear differential, ash heated wood trim steering wheel and interior trim and carbon fiber rear spoiler; triple beam LED headlamps; navigation system; 1800-watt, 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system; premium paint; and key gloves

Other Trim Levels:

AWD 300

RWD 350

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 10-speaker audio system with AM/FM/HD/CD with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 70,000 miles

Standard IS350 Engine/Horsepower: 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbo engine/241-hp

Recommended Fuel: Premium

Standard Fuel Mileage: 20-city/28-hwy

What’s New: The brand has made some package tweaks for the 2021 model year ranging from standard 18-inch wheels to a new 10-inch infotainment screen to a newly designed wide-mouth spindle grille and headlights.

Why: 

The vehicle is driven by a rear-wheel drive configuration

All-wheel drive available

Sporty exterior design, which takes styling cues from the midsize ES sedan

Freshened headlights

One of the last brands to offer a single disc CD player

Nimble

A variety of driving modes

A dynamic tuned suspension

Peppy engine with the 311-horsepower engine

A host of standard safety driving aids

A new 10-inch infotainment screen

A new handling package on F Sport models

The brand’s signature wide-mouth grill seems fitting on this vehicle…

Larger 19-inch wheels are available

17-inch wheels will no longer be available

Compatible with both android and Apple smartphones

Alexa available

A radar activated cruise control system

Vibrant red interior

But: 

Our test vehicle lacked a sunroof; however, its available as an option

No panoramic roof available on the IS

Cramped rear seating

No manual transmission

IS 300 model horsepower is less than 265-horsepower

Only the 10-inch infotainment screen is only available with the upgraded Mark Levinson audio and navigation system

The mouse-like touchpad is not as intuitive as we would like.. we recommend using the duplicate steering wheel controls and the radio knobs

No standard navigation system

No power driver’s seat available in the base model

Verdict: Lexus’ entry-level sports sedan has a starting price of approximately $40,000. That is about $1,500 more than the Genesis G70, which is a direct competitor. The sporty Lexus four-door sedan is available with three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbo 240-horsepower; a 3.5-liter, 260-horsepower; and a 3.5-liter, 311-horsepower engine. Depending upon the trim, the IS is available in a rear wheel drive or an all-wheel drive configuration.

And for the 2021 model year, the IS has been tweaked for the model year, adding everything from a larger infotainment screen to a new grille and more streamlined headlights to standard 18-inch wheels to a new handling packing for the F Sport trim.

Moreover, for those yearning for a more engaging driving experience, its recommended that they step up to the IS 350 with the F-Sport trim. The F Sport adds such features as standard 19-inch wheels, a sports-tuned suspension system and a rear carbon spoiler. All of these components combine alters the look and the ride of the IS.

In a field, where luxury crossovers are the flavor of the day, the folks from Lexus have manage to keep the IS relevant. 

Competition: Alfa Romero; Audi A4; BMW 3-series; Genesis G70; and Mercedes-Benz C-Class